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I figured I would try something new:  Rate the motorcycle magazines that rate motorcyle stuff.

Less then one year ago I had zero (count ‘em) motorcycle subscriptions.  When I started this blog, I also decided I would once again read about bikes too.  I first started with Roadracing World (RRW) for $20/year as I have had an on-again and off-again subscription since 1993.  I then got online and ordered Cycle World (CW) and Motorcyclist (MC) because they were ridiculously cheap - like $18 for two years per magazine - that’s $0.75 per issue.  Finally, Rhino got me a year’s subscription to Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN) for $41 after I loaned him my Caponord for a ride back in December, 2005.

Admittedly, I am not a reader.  Its hard for me to keep up with all of them unless there is business travel.  The good thing about motorcycle mags, as opposed to news mags, is that the info is not really time sensitive for a couple months at least.  Anyway, although I try to keep up with them, it doesn’t happen.  Anyway, here is what I think of the mags, and I’ll use politics as my analogy:

Fourth Place - Motorcyclist
I consider this magazine the Democrat Party.  Its the attitude of ‘questioning authority’, etc. that makes me think of them as Democrats.  With articles like the Helmet Testing / Snell Bashing and the Motoczysz bashing, they seem to thrive on shit-starting controversy…sometimes IMO simply to start shit.  No one’s perfect, but the manner in which the two articles were written were childish in my opinion. 

That said, I think they have something special with the ‘MC Garage’ section, especially Street Savvy and Smart Money.  I actually like all the sections in the MC Garage, and seem to turn to there first…then go to the main articles.  I also like the “Hard Parts” section with every motorcycle review.  It’s an executive summary of the components that matter on the bike.

Third Place - Cycle World
I’m thirty-four years old, and I just don’t feel old enough to be reading, or ‘getting’ the spirit of the editorials in the magazine.  I consider this the Republican Party of motorcycle magazines for being older and stuffier.  I often feel too young when I read an editorial about the original Norton Commando and how cool it was.  It seems to cater to an older crowd of long time riders, with older, veteran authors.  Age is bitter-sweet in this case.  The older you are, the more wisdom you have as a moto-journalist, but many times it also mean the less receptive or in tune you are to new technology. 

But again, I like the back pages that contain the technical section like the “Service” section and product reviews. Don’t get me wrong, the articles are good and relevant, but I tend to skip around a lot.  I do find it cool that they always seem to work in a dirt bike article/shootout every now and then.

SIDEBAR:  I am conflicted about advertisement placement in these two above mags.  WOW are there a lot of advertisements.  But I also remember my comment above at how cheap the subscription is…that and I am a free-market capitalist.  But sometimes shuffling through a magazine to get to the second half of an article is annoying.  IMO, both MC & CW have too many advertisements.  I used to like browsing through them as the outlet places usually post some good deals, but I haven’t done that for months.  Oh yeah, as a business decision I am sure the 80 or so page advertisement that MC recently had with Icon products was probably sound, but as a reader it was a little excessive.  End SIDEBAR.

Second Place - Motorcycle Consumer News
At $40 per year you get the pleasure of no advertisements…really…none.  There seems to be a market for that specifically, and for the fact that they are not in anyone’s back pocket and therefore represent the Independent Party.  From what I have read, that seems to be true.  I especially like to no-nonsense from Fred Rau.

If you are a sport-tourer, this is likely the magazine for you.  These guys have a worldly approach to motorcycling with their articles covering the globe.  These guys remind me of someone - me.  They have an anti-hooligan attitude yet aren’t afraid to wick it up on the back roads.

What I especially like about MCN is the amount of “Letters” and additional customer write-ins in the “Downtime Files” Section.  Its always interesting to read the various questions followed by MCN recommendations as well as customer recommendations.  Sometimes the customer recommendations are a little off, but fun to read nonetheless.  I also like how they focus on being a better rider - mentally and physically.  This is something I can appreciate as I consider myself a rider, not a biker.  They also have a convenient calerdar of the national events

What I don’t like is the black & white format.  Yes, I am sure cost/budget is a factor, but if a B&W picture speaks a thousand words, a full color one speaks in millions.  Its also difficult to find on the shelf.  Actually I have never seen it on the shelf and may not even be offered for sale outside of MCN directly - I have no idea.

That brings me to my favorite of the four and First Place - Roadracing World
I know, I know…isn’t this really comparing apples to oranges?  Maybe, but maybe not.  After all, exactly how does the Libertarian Party fit in with the rest?  A couple years ago, I would have agreed as to the differences, but as of late they have added a significant section to their shootouts dedicated to OE sport bikes on the street. 

They have two critical sections for my reading enjoyment that the three above lack:  Road Racing Coverage and Private Classifieds.  With MotoGP and WSBK as good as it is this season, its fun to go back and read to race details tht are all too-often missed on TV.  Granted, its usually a month late, but its covered and includes excellent images of the races.  And second, I will always be partial to RRW Classifieds.  I bought my first roadrace bike via their ads - a kluged together 1987-89 CBR600F Hurricaine.  I have also sold tons of YZF 750 parts through there prior to the ease and popularity of the internet.

I know that few people are interested in race coverage, but I think that is their niche.  Second, their evaluators are current pro-racers at one level or another.  The feedback is easily understood and its written in English.  And aside from John Ulrich, the editor / owner, they all seem to be my age and vintage - they speak my language.

I am a sport bike guy to the bone, even though I currently ride a sport-touring Aprilia Futura.  They focus on sport bikes and venture outside of that segment just enough - XB12R for example.  Even though the magazine has ample advertisements, they seem to be better placed.  Second, knowing what I do about John Ulrich, it is very unlikely that advertising dollars influence the text of his magazine.

Finally, I am sure all the above magazine give financial support to great causes.  However, none is more local that the Roadracing World Action Fund that support racers by purchasing a portable air fence for areas deemed unsafe by racers, sponsors, and organizers.  Supporting these guys helps support the sport I love to watch, and I couldn’t be happier.

None of the magazines are bad.  Considering that my #3 and #4 picks are $0.75 per issue, it will be hard not to renew when that time comes.  In summary, it seems that each magazine has its own target audience with not much overlap.  The exception is that a lot of sport-touring riders watch the races too.  This is the way I see it:

• Motorcyclist - Stunters, gixxer.com crowd, and youngsters overall
• Cycle World - Long time enthusiasts, Wing Nuts, etc.
• Motorcycle Consumer News - Sport Touring / BMW crowd
• Roadracing World - Motorcycle road race fans, track day participants, etc.

Because of who I am, how old I am, and what I want / get out of motorcycling, Roadracing World is simply the best for me.  Find your group and you can find the magazine that will best suit what you want out of a motorcycle magazine.